Recycletek
Recycletek, operated by Evtek, Inc., is a U.S. deep tech startup that builds AI-vision hardware and integrated software for beverage container deposit redemption, serving redemption centers, retailers, nonprofits, and consumers in New York and California.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2018
- HeadquartersBrentwood, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Recycletek does
Recycletek (legal entity Evtek, Inc.) is a U.S. deep tech startup incorporated in 2018 that builds AI-powered hardware and software for beverage container deposit-return systems serving state CRV (Container Redemption Value) programs. Its flagship EcoCount machine uses neural networks, optical sensors, image analysis, and pattern-recognition algorithms to count and classify empty beverage containers at 1,000 per minute with a claimed 99% accuracy rate. The broader hardware lineup includes EcoMobile XP (a battery-powered mobile redemption center with two EcoCount units), EcoPod and EcoPod XP (outdoor bag-drop systems with retail advertising screens), EcoCash (a high-capacity ATM-style dispenser), and EcoSacks (trackable smart bags). A software stack — POS system, Backoffice analytics, and the EcoPortal customer portal — handles payments, reporting, loyalty rewards, and digital payouts via EcoCard prepaid debit, PayPal, Venmo, or ACH through integrations with Onbe, Sunrise Banks, Dwolla, Checkbook, and PayPal.
The business model is primarily a multi-year hardware lease plus enterprise software subscription sold to redemption centers, pickup agents, retailers, and municipalities. Secondary revenue streams include premium consumer subscriptions, anonymized consumer data sales, advertising on EcoPod screens, and e-commerce commissions. The company is headquartered in Sunnyvale, California with an East Coast office in Brentwood, New York, operates Certified Recycling Centers under CalRecycle pilot programs in Cupertino and Sunnyvale, and has 5 EcoCount systems deployed across NY and CA.
Recycletek has raised a 2021 Friends and Family round and a SAFE Note, received three non-dilutive grants (including a CalRecycle Tech Pilot grant in 2022), and is actively raising $6 million to fund staff expansion, R&D, and sales. The 14+ person team is led by co-founders Martin Naro (CEO), Yoni Saltzman (CTO), and Dr. Tobias M. Weis (Chief AI/Innovation Officer), with dedicated West Coast sales and EVP leadership.
Recycletek firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Recycletek
- Legal name
- Evtek, Inc.
- Website
- https://recycletek.co
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2018
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Recycletek, operated by Evtek, Inc., is a U.S. deep tech startup that builds AI-vision hardware and integrated software for beverage container deposit redemption, serving redemption centers, retailers, nonprofits, and consumers in New York and California.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Recycletek industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Bottle Redemption and Recycling Automation Hardware
- NAICS
- Materials Recovery Facilities (562920)
- SIC
- Services-Computer Processing & Data Preparation (7374)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Reusable Packaging & Refill Systems (Returnable Transport Items, Deposit/DRS Ops) (EUAIANAE)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Packaging Recovery & Closed-Loop Programs (Take-Back, Deposit-Return, EPR Support) (IMALAMAF), Reusable Packaging & Container Return Programs (On-site) (BPABALAJ)
Keywords
Where Recycletek is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Brentwood
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Recycletek business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Hardware Leasing: Primary revenue from leasing AI Vision processing technology (EcoCount machines) to Redemption Providers such as redemption centers and supermarkets. Hardware is deployed at customer locations under lease agreements.
- Enterprise Software Subscriptions: Associated enterprise software subscriptions bundled with hardware leasing for redemption center operations, POS, backoffice management, and customer engagement tools.
- Premium User Subscriptions: Secondary revenue from premium-user subscriptions for individual consumers seeking enhanced features.
- Consumer Data Sales: Revenue from aggregated and anonymized consumer recycling data sales to interested parties.
- Advertising Revenue: Revenue from advertising displayed on large screens of EcoPod units installed at retail locations.
- E-commerce Commissions: Secondary revenue stream from e-commerce commissions related to the recycling ecosystem.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Enterprise hardware lease with software subscription for redemption centers |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels5 records
Recycletek product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Recycletek designs, manufactures, and leases AI-powered hardware (EcoCount high-speed container counting machines, EcoMobile XP mobile redemption centers, EcoPod bag-drop systems, EcoCash dispensers) bundled with a software ecosystem (POS, backoffice analytics, EcoPortal consumer accounts) to redemption centers, pickup agents, supermarkets, and retailers processing beverage container deposits. The platform uses computer vision and neural networks to identify, count, and pay out California Refund Value (CRV) and other state deposits in under 80 seconds, with 99% accuracy and 1,000 containers/minute throughput.
Product overview
Recycletek offers an integrated platform combining AI-powered hardware systems and software for beverage container deposit return and recycling. The core hardware lineup includes EcoCount (high-speed AI-vision counting machines processing 1,000 containers/minute), EcoMobile XP (mobile redemption center), EcoPod and EcoPod XP (outdoor bag drop systems), and EcoCash (automated cash dispensing). Supporting software ecosystem consists of EcoPortal (consumer accounts with digital payouts and rewards), Backoffice Software (operator analytics and reporting), and POS System (self-service and attendant interfaces). The company also offers EcoSacks (trackable bags) for bag drop operations and partners with Anker Andersen for additional sorting equipment. Payment integration spans PayPal, Venmo, EcoCard prepaid debit cards, and ACH transfers. All systems are designed for redemption centers, retailers, and municipalities to comply with state container deposit programs.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- EcoCount: High speed beverage container counting system - 1000/minute with advanced AI for accurate counting and identification.
- EcoMobile XP
- EcoPod
- EcoCash
- EcoPod XP
- EcoPortal
Products and services
- EcoCount High-speed AI-vision reverse vending machine that processes up to 1,000 beverage containers per minute with 99% accuracy, classifies containers via neural networks and optical sensors, and pays customers immediately upon deposit. Designed for redemption centers and retailers as the flagship buyback system.
- EcoMobile XP Standalone, electric battery-powered mobile redemption center equipped with two EcoCount units and optional flattening modules for transportation efficiency. Enables pop-up and off-site deposit return operations for redemption centers, nonprofits, and community events.
- EcoPod Outdoor bag-drop collection system designed for retail parking lots, offering fast and clean recycling with advanced security monitoring and an integrated large advertising screen for retailer monetization.
- EcoPod XP Quick and convenient outdoor beverage container buying system for parking lots, providing a clean and efficient recycling experience that enhances customer loyalty with minimal labor required.
- EcoCash Heavy-duty ATM-style machine for retail, recycling, and redemption centers with extra-large dispensing capacity, enabling fully automated cash operations with additional security for unattended environments.
- POS System Point-of-sale software with self-service and operator UIs, compliant receipt printing, cash drawer/ATM integration, and tablet support, purpose-built for redemption center and retail deposit-return workflows.
- Backoffice Software Operator analytics and reporting platform providing digital reports, customer counts and daily container volumes, secure payments, non-deposit identification, customer document management, and waste diversion / CO2 tracking for sustainability managers and MRFs.
- Customer Portal (EcoPortal) Consumer-facing account platform enabling users to sign up for free accounts, track recycling metrics via the EcoData dashboard, receive digital payouts, monitor environmental impact, and earn EcoPoints rewards.
- EcoCount 3 Latest generation EcoCount high-speed container counting system, manufactured in 2024 with improved AI-vision accuracy and processing speed for redemption center and retail deployments.
- EcoCard Prepaid debit card used by consumers to receive CRV refund payments; issued by Sunrise Banks, N.A. and managed by North Lane Technologies, Inc. (dba Onbe), with cardholder access via the My Payment Vault platform.
Quantifiable outcome
- Processing speed: 1000 containers/minute (50X faster than leading solutions)
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Recycletek
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Recycletek technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration7 records
AI capability7 records
Feature6 records
Recycletek partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered supporting.
- Dwolla, Inc.supportingPayment processing integration partner for New York operations. Dwolla handles ACH bank transfers for consumer payments. Recycletek uses Dwolla's platform to originate credit transfers to customer financial institution accounts.
- Onbe (North Lane Technologies, Inc.)supportingProgram manager for EcoCard prepaid MasterCard debit card services. Onbe manages the card program, customer support, and My Payment Vault website/mobile app for prepaid card services available at select locations.
- Sunrise Banks, N.A.supportingFDIC-insured issuing bank for EcoCard prepaid debit card program. Sunrise Banks holds funds and issues cards, processing financial data in compliance with federal banking regulations.
- Anker AndersensupportingGlobal DRS (Deposit Return System) provider partnership. Anker Andersen provides fast container sorting and barcode scanning equipment. Recycletek offers their full product portfolio with accessories and options alongside own technology.
- PayPalsupportingElectronic payment processing partner. Consumers can receive CRV payments via PayPal transfer (subject to $0.25 transaction fee).
- Checkbook, Inc.supportingElectronic check and ACH bank transfer processing partner for California operations. Handles direct bank transfers for consumer CRV payments.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Recycletek competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- TOMRA: Global market leader in reverse vending machines and deposit-return systems; directly competes with Recycletek's EcoCount in redemption-center automation for bottle/can programs.
- Anker Andersen: Danish provider of full DRS infrastructure (sorting, scanning, conveying). Recycletek both resells Anker Andersen's portfolio and competes for similar redemption-center customers globally.
- Sielaff: German manufacturer of reverse vending machines serving European DRS markets; competes head-to-head with EcoCount at redemption centers and retailers.
- Enviroco: UK-based RVM and container-handling solutions provider; comparable product portfolio and redemption-center customer base.
Emerging players
- RVM Systems: Smaller US-focused RVM/automated recycling kiosk vendor; partial overlap on US bottle-bill redemption deployments.
Regional players
- RePlanet: California CRV redemption-center operator and technology buyer; potential B2B customer for Recycletek rather than a technology competitor.
Broad incumbents
- Diebold Nixdorf: Large ATM and retail hardware incumbent with overlap into self-service recycling/payment kiosks; broader portfolio but adjacent functionality.
- NCR Voyix: Enterprise POS and self-service hardware vendor with capabilities overlapping Recycletek's POS and EcoCash ATM-like products in retail environments.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Recycletek social profiles
Digital presenceRecycletek compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance4 records
Recycletek financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Recycletek leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
Recycletek funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Recycletek M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Recycletek
What does Recycletek do?
Recycletek designs, manufactures, and leases AI-powered hardware (EcoCount high-speed container counting machines, EcoMobile XP mobile redemption centers, EcoPod bag-drop systems, EcoCash dispensers) bundled with a software ecosystem (POS, backoffice analytics, EcoPortal consumer accounts) to redemption centers, pickup agents, supermarkets, and retailers processing beverage container deposits. The platform uses computer vision and neural networks to identify, count, and pay out California Refund Value (CRV) and other state deposits in under 80 seconds, with 99% accuracy and 1,000 containers/minute throughput.
Is Recycletek a public or private company?
Recycletek is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Recycletek founded?
Recycletek was founded in 2018. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Recycletek based?
Recycletek is headquartered in Brentwood, United States, in the North America region.
How does Recycletek make money?
Six revenue lines are on record. Hardware Leasing is the primary driver. The others are enterprise Software Subscriptions, premium User Subscriptions, consumer Data Sales, advertising Revenue and E-commerce Commissions.
Who are Recycletek's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are TOMRA, Anker Andersen, Sielaff and Enviroco. RVM Systems is listed as an emerging player. RePlanet is listed as a regional player. Broad incumbents are Diebold Nixdorf and NCR Voyix.
Does Recycletek have an API?
No public API is recorded for Recycletek.
What industry is Recycletek in?
Recycletek's product category is Bottle Redemption and Recycling Automation Hardware. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EUAIANAE, Reusable Packaging & Refill Systems (Returnable Transport Items, Deposit/DRS Ops), with a secondary code of IMALAMAF, Packaging Recovery & Closed-Loop Programs (Take-Back, Deposit-Return, EPR Support). Its NAICS code is 562920 and its SIC code is 7374.